SECC ROPES IN SOUTHERN DISTRICT COUNCIL
Organizers of the Southern Epic Cycling Challenge (SECC), formerly Kgosi Malope Cycling Challenge, announced that they have partnered with the Southern District Council to positively impact livelihoods in the region.
Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, Tiroyaone Khuto, Public Relations Officer of the event, shared that their aim for this year’s activity is to raise funds which will be channeled towards early childhood development.
Post coronavirus pandemic and lockdowns, the organizers of the event shared that there is lack of support to promote holistic development of children in their region.
“We now want to officially announce that we have partnered with Southern District Council, not only focusing on the tribal administration of Kgosi Malope; with his blessing, we’ve spread our wings to be all encompassing but not only focusing on heritage sites. In mitigating challenges of COVID-19, we realized that there is a gap that exists within the
Southern District Council capability, more especially on the areas of early childhood development and that will be an area of benefit for us this year,” Khuto outlined.
He also announced that, the district council identified the Sekutlane village as deserving beneficiaries of their noble gesture this year.
Following the recent changes by Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, to upgrade districts, Sekutlane now falls under Borolong districts but organizers have decided to stick to their initial plan to support the village.
Early childhood development has been earmarked as one of the key priorities of the event going forward as they look into shaping future generation. “It is an area [early childhood] that is not given much resources, and you must note that early childhood development does not necessarily mean early childhood education; education only forms part of a child’s development. We will closely work with the council to always identify an area of need,” he said. Indian Embassy was announced as one of the partners for this year’s event, alongside ABSA Bank and Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture, to promote the event and help make it a success.
Dr Rajesh Ranjan, High Commissioner of India to Botswana highlighted that their involvement in the event further strengthens Botswana, India relations.
“We are here to promote one of the important aspects, for India, Botswana relationship is for people to be in contact and this is the right opportunity for us to collaborate, to promote people to people contact and know each other more. We had very good discussions with the Southern Epic Challenge organizers on how to make this an annual successful event. Our keen interest is to engage with the youth in Kanye, the youth are the future of any country,” Ranjan said. He also announced that at least 21 young people from the Southern region have been given scholarships and recently left the country as they look to further their studies in India as a result of the cordial relationship that exists between the two countries. Ranjan also said eligible Batswana winners at the event will also be offered scholarship opportunities to advance their studies in India.
Lesley Bradley, Corporate Banking Director at ABSA, acknowledged the role of sport in developing communities and added that they are excited to be partners in the event.
“As ABSA we are excited about the opportunity that has been availed to us through the Southern Epic Cycling challenge. We recognize and appreciate the importance that sport plays in the communities in which we operate and we have ensured we play our part in providing support where possible,” she said.
Although the sponsorship value of the ABSA was not announced, organizers highlighted that the bank has committed to support the event and further details will be communicated before the day of the event, which is slated for 9th October 2022.
The event has reportedly attracted cyclists from across the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) countries and it is expected to significantly boost the tourism sector in the district.